"But true, George, devilish true! Here's Julia must grow into a crotchety old female, myself into a solitary, embittered recluse, and you into a lonely, doddering old curmudgeon--and all for sake of this damned lad--" At this, stirred by sudden impulse, I thrust my head out of the window and hemmed loudly, whereupon they halted very suddenly and stood staring up at me, their surprised looks plain to see by reason of the brilliant moon. "Pardon me, my dear uncles," said I, bowing to them as well as I might, "pardon me, but I venture to think not--" "Now 'pon me everlasting soul!" exclaimed my uncle Jervas, fumbling for his eyeglass. "What does the lad mean?" "With your kind attention, he will come down and explain," said I, and clambering through the casement, I descended forthwith, hand over hand, by means of the ivy stems that grew very thick and strong hereabouts. Reaching the terrace, I paused to brush the dust from knee and elbow while my uncle Jervas, lounging against the balustrade, viewed me languidly through his glass, and uncle George stared at me very round of eye and groped at his close-trimmed whisker. "Sirs," said I, glancing from one to other, "I regret that I should appear to you as a 'fish,' a 'puppy' and a 'self-satisfied do-nothing,' but I utterly refuse to be considered either an 'incubus' or a 'damned lad'!" "Oh, the dooce!" ejaculated uncle George. "To the which end," I proceeded, "I propose to remove myself for a while--let us say for six months or thereabouts--on a condition." "Remove yourself, nephew?" repeated uncle Jervas, peering at me a little more narrowly. "Pray where?" "Anywhere, sir. I shall follow the wind, tramp the roads, consort with all and sundry, open the book of Life and endeavour to learn of man by man himself." "Very fine!" said my uncle Jervas,--"and damned foolish!" "In a word," I continued, "I propose to follow your very excellent advice, Uncle Jervas, and go out into the world to find my manhood if I can! That was your phrase, I think?" "Ah, and when, may I ask?" "At once, sir. But, as I said before--on a condition." "Hum!" quoth my uncle Jervas, dropping his glass to tenderly stroke his somewhat too prominent chin. "And might we humbly venture to enquire as to the condition?" "Merely this, sir; so soon as Aunt Julia is freed of her incubus--so soon as I am gone--you will see to it she is not lonely. You will woo her, beginning at once, both together or turn about, because I would not have her--this best, this noblest and most generous of women--forfeit anything of happiness on my account; because, having neither father nor mother that I ever remember, the love and reverence that should have been theirs I have given to her." "Lord!" exclaimed my uncle George, clashing his spurs suddenly. "Lord love the lad--begad--oh, the dooce!" As for uncle Jervas, forgetting his languor, he stood suddenly erect, frowning, his chin more aggressive than ever.